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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. When was this ________________ built?
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  22. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  23. He is an ace ________________.
  24. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. lie — to recline
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. current — electric
  7. track — to keep track
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. rush — hurry
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. stand — to bear
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. current — of water
  15. track — a song
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. current — happening now
  18. track — a path
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. stand — for spectators
  22. lie — an untruth
  23. pitcher — in baseball
  24. pitcher — a jug

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com